Last year's beaten finalists in the CAF Champions League, Heartland have been kicked out of the competition in the mini-league phase by Al Ahly of Egypt.

Ahly defeated the Nigerian club 2-1 inside the Cairo International Stadium to now have eight points from five matches, a record that neither Heartland or bottom team Ismaily can match even if they win their final matches next weekend.

Ahly thus join JS Kabylie of Algeria, Esperance from Tunisia and TP Mazembe of DR Congo in the semi-finals of Africa's most prestigious club competition.
Like it was against Ismaily in Egypt, a goalkeeping blunder was again to blame in part for Heartland's loss in Cairo to six-time champions Ahly.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who was picked ahead of first choice shot stopper Austin Brown after his howler cost 'The Naze Millionaires' all three points against Ismaily last month, was to blame for Ahmed Fathi's opening headed goal after 20 minutes.

Mohamed Fadl compounded the Nigerian team's predicament six minutes after the interval when he grabbed Ahly's second goal.

However, striker Emma Nwachi gave Heartland some ray of hope when he found target for the Owerri outfit in the 56th minute.

Heartland were without injured central defender Ikechukwu ThankGod, while the Red Devils of Cairo had to do without experienced midfielder Ahmed Hassan, also as a result of a knee injury.

Also on Sunday, defending champions TP Mazembe made sure of their place in the last four of the competition when they edged past Dynamos of Zimbabwe 2-1 inside the Stade Ominisports de la Kenya in Lubumbashi.

Meanwhile, holders TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo went through earlier on Sunday from Group A after a 2-1 home win over Zimbabwe’s Dynamos in Lubumbashi.

Second-half goals by Kaluyituka Dioko and Given Singulama got Mazembe going after 62 minutes before Dynamos reduced the deficit six minutes from time through Thabani Kamusoko.

The victory put Mazembe level at the top of the standings with Tunisia’s Esperance, who also have 10 points from five matches and the same goal difference.

Esperance’s qualification for the semifinals was ensured on Saturday even though they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Entente Setif of Algeria.

The final round of group matches will be played this coming weekend but the only issue to be resolved is the placings in Group A.

The semifinals will be played over two legs next month.